Six men who are accused of killing Babita Deokaran have been sentenced to prison time ranging from six to 22 years.
Phakamani Hadebe, Zitha Radebe, Sanele Mbhele, Siphiwe Mazibuko, Siphakanyiswa Dladla, and Nhlangano Ndlovu, who are all believed to be from KwaZulu-Natal, were sentenced for different charges including possession of unlicensed firearm and murder.
The sentence was handed down by the high court in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
Deokaran was brutally murdered on August 23 2021 outside her home in Winchester Hills, Johannesburg soon after she had dropped off her child at school.
The accused pleaded guilty to shooting the whistleblower who worked as acting chief director in financial accounting officer in the department of health in Gauteng.
Before sentencing, the court heard that Deokaran was killed because she was causing trouble at work.
Her family members voiced disappointment in the court outcome, saying none of the accused displayed an ounce of remorse for taking an innocent life.
Deokaran’s brother Rakesh Deokaran said: “The fact that none of them received a life sentence is sickening to my stomach.
“We do not accept the apology that they rendered in court today. Even though they apologised, it did not give them a right to take her life.
“Nothing will bring closure to us as the family, because she lost her life and we miss her every day.”
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the men entered into a plea and sentence agreement with the state.
NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwana said the convicted murderers provided the state with information that could be helpful in the investigation to nail the mastermind behind Deokaran’s murder.
“The state considered the fact that they pleaded guilty and they are not wasting the state’s time,” said Mjonondwana.
“We believe that there is a mastermind even though that person is not known to the accused, because they only dealt with the middle man.
“The sentence that was handed down by the court considers the seriousness of the offence and the interest of the public. Everyone will know that Deokaran was a hero who stood against corruption.”
She said the NPA is committed to get to the bottom of what transpired and finding out who gave an instruction that Deokaran must be killed.
Deokaran flagged R850-million worth of suspicious payments at Tembisa Hospital.
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